Happy 70th birthday to the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame - Harness Racing Update
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Happy 70th birthday to the Harness
Racing Museum and Hall of Fame
The museum, which opened on June 30, 1951, will play host to the 2020 Hall
of Fame inductees’ ceremony on Sunday evening.
by Bob Heyden
Now Accepting
Supplemental Entries
The Harness Racing Museum and Hall Of Fame in Goshen, NY
celebrated the 70th anniversary of its opening on Wednesday
(June 30), four days before the 2020 class of Hall of Fame
inductees will be officially enshrined. The museum was estab-
lished in 1949, but officially opened to the public on June 30, Hip 65 Eurobond – Current winner of 3 straight Opens at Plainridge
1951.
One of the great places to visit, let’s take a look at some of the TATTERSALLS SUMMER MIXED SALE
standouts — and standout numbers attached to — the Hall of Enter online now or call (914) 773-7777
Fame, the best of all institutions in standardbred racing.
1. When Tim Tetrick is officially inducted on Sunday night (July
4) it will mark 46 years since the last time a driver went in who Preferred Equine Marketing
owned both the single season wins and earnings records. Tetrick PREFERREDEQUINE.COM
(914) 773-7777
set the dash record in 2007 with 1,189 wins and the earnings
record in 2008 with $19.5 million. In 1975, when Herve Filion
was inducted, he also held both the dash record (637 wins) and than Filion. At the time of his induction, Campbell was past
earnings record ($3,474,315). Both were set in 1974. $86 million in his career and wound up with a record setting
$299 million plus — meaning he too won over 70 per cent of
2. Speaking of Filion, he was 35 when he was inducted, making
his career earnings total after his induction.
him the youngest ever enshrined to that point. At the time, he
was the only member of the 5,000 win club. He won nearly 70 4. For the first time ever, there’s over a century from the first born
per cent of his lifetime races after being enshrined. Hall of Famer to the most recent. Bi Shively (1878) - Tim Tetrick
(1981). Tetrick is the only Hall Of Famer born in either the 1970s
3. John Campbell became the youngest inductee in 1990. Like
or 1980s. Eight Hall Of Famers were born in the 19th century.
Filion, Campbell was also 35, but was several months younger
Harness Racing Update | Page 1 | July 1, 2021
BAR HOPPING DOMINATES THE YONKERS TROT WITH FOUR FINALISTS
JOHAN PALEMA
3, 1:53.2f-’21 ($144,278) · Dam: Sobti Hanover by Cantab Hall
Elimination winner in 1:54.1h.
ETHAN T HANOVER IN RANGE ARNOLD N DICKY
3, 1:57.2h-’21 ($125,373) 3, 1:52.3f-’21 ($446,887) 3, 1:52.3f-’21 ($177,898)
Dam: Emmylou Who by Ken Warkentin Dam: Ilia by Windsong’s Legacy Dam: Kalibrated by Broadway Hall
His brother by Father Patrick,
EUGENE HANOVER,
sells in Lexington this fall.
WISHING EVERYONE THE BEST OF LUCK IN THE FINAL
(717) 637-8931 fax: (717) 637-6766 www.hanoverpa.com hanover@hanoverpa.com
ANDOVER HALL · BAR HOPPING · BETTING LINE · CANTAB HALL · CAPTAINTREACHEROUS · GREENSHOE
INTERNATIONAL MONI · NUNCIO · PAPI ROB HANOVER · STAY HUNGRY · TALL DARK STRANGER
Harness Racing Update
SUMMER
In today's HRU
Jeff Gural’s passion for harness racing knows no bounds page 05
Breaking down this weekend’s top races page 08
Third generation horseman Ryan Guy on path to career year page 12
MIXEDSale
Draws held for Friday’s four stakes finals at Yonkers page 16
Pebble Beach leads Daley Stable winners at Magical Acres page 20
5. Has there ever been a horse born who had it better than
Savoir? He retired after 1978 with earnings of $1,365,140 after
a career from 1971-1978. That money total was number one
all-time among North America-bred trotters. He even got a
single vote in 1978 for older trotters in a division won by Green
Speed. Savoir was the 1975 Horse of the Year (HOY) and 1971
Hambletonian runner-up. The secret? All four of his trainers
were Hall of Famers —James Arthur, Del Insko, John Chapman
and Billy Haughton.
6. From 1968-1972 all 11 Hall of Fame inductees were trainer/
drivers. As a matter of fact, the first time an inductee was listed
as only a “driver” was Campbell in 1990. Even Buddy Gilmour
NOW TAKING
SUPPLEMENTS
CLICK TO ENTER SUNDAY
JULY 18
AT THE MEADOWLANDS
Still time to sell alongside top horses like Eurobond,
Allywag Hanover and The Greek Freak to create
capital for your fall yearling purchases.
Courtesy Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame
The official ribbon cutting ceremony that opened the IN-PERSON | PROXIBID | VIEW CATALOG
Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame on June 30, 1951.
Harness Racing Update | Page 2 | July 1, 2021
Harness Racing Update
Courtesy Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame
Visitors check out an opening day exhibit at the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame shortly after the doors opened
to the public for the first time.
was listed as both the year prior. at age 91 in February, 1970 with the Vietnam War still several
7. Stanley Dancer was the only 1960s or 1970s Hall Of Fame years away from completion.
inductee to live into the 21st century (1927-2005).
8. The years 1973, 1976, 1978, 1983 and 1998 saw no inductees. Bettors’ checklist
9. Greatest class? Can anyone top 1968 when Billy Haughton,
I had a recent chat with a half dozen bettors who wager two or
Frank Ervin and Del Miller were inducted?
three times a month and are Saturday afternoon types who stay
10. And finally, the best for last. How about a vote for the most over for the nighttime card if they are winning. The following
decorated, colorful, full lifetime award to Bi Shively who went is a summary of their likes and dislikes:
in in 1967. Can anyone match his record — in any sport — for
1. Bathrooms. What on earth is the excuse for not having work-
being battle tested? Born in 1878, 13 years after the Civil War,
able rest rooms?
Shively was a soldier during the 1898 Spanish-American War.
He was training horses during WW I and WW II (after dreams of 2. Readable graphics. Chances are that the casual player is not
being a jockey had long since been squelched). Shively trained spending much time reading graphics. They want to hear the
HOY Rodney in 1948 (a 1:58 world record performer), three years changes.
after WW II ended and two years before the Korean War began. 3. The greatest two words in 2021 racing - “No changes”
Shively won the Hambletonian at age 74 with Sharp Note during
the Korean War. He retired at the end of the 1950s during the 4. No more 5-6 horse lineup races, please.
infancy of the Vietnam War and was inducted into the Hall Of 5. Air conditioning. Yes, put it on. Now. If someone wants to roast
Fame in 1967 at the height of the Vietnam War. Shively died in July they can go sit on the curb.
Harness Racing Update | Page 3 | July 1, 2021
Harness Racing Update
6. Comfort. Seats that don’t feel bony. Scratches and LATE scratches are a major turnoff.
7. REAL carryovers. $1,615.43 is NOT a carryover. 14. Elimination racing? Boring you say? The top five make it and
8. If anyone gaps from post 1 for the first eighth and allows 4-5 it’s only a seven-horse field? Okay, then write in the conditions
charity seats — fine or suspension. Tough to handicap when the that there is 5 per cent or even 10 per cent bonus to that horse
entire race complexion changes due to either an unfit horse or who wins the elim and the final. It is not only an enticement to
incompetence. do both — it is a detriment not to try and do so.
9. Water bottle giveaways, t-shirt tosses have outlived their 15. Carryovers, guarantees — put these in bold type on the
usefulness. TV screens. Many people playing Woodbine are not following
the west coast, but they might if they see a big carryover into
10. MPH? What? Why is this on the screen? Clutter. Any track Sunday. Especially if the bet is an added one, or a new one. A
that puts up MPH is suffering an instant credibility issue. Really? Pick-7 for the Breeders’ Cup back when they raced only seven
Have you ever once heard someone talking to someone after a
for instance. Loud and clear.
fast race or a fast half and not referred to fractions but instead
MPH? Of course not.
11. Show the pools. The less likely a track is to show the pools
the less money is bet into it. It’s that simple.
12. Magnifying glasses supplied at tracks. Years ago they had
binoculars that could be rented at thoroughbred tracks. With
the average age 65 and likely climbing, have a couple dozen
available. Free, too.
13. Scratches. Absolutely nothing destroys the momentum of a
betting card — and most especially for those who did their work
well in advance — than scratches. Of course, some are unavoid-
able. But please, please, please do not think about entering your
horse if you might not race or if he/she is unfit or on the fence.
Remember, that person sitting there with $250 in his pocket
waiting for the first at Monmouth or Santa Anita has options.
HHYF 2021 CAMPS
A day full of horses and hands-on
activity including driving a race-
horse! Specific areas include learn-
ing about equine behavior and
anatomy, equipment, and more!
Participants will come away with
July 20 - Red Mile, Lexington, KY horse dirt under their fingernails
August 5 - Jay County Fairgrounds, Portland, IN
August 9 - Gaitway Farm, Manalapan Township, NJ
August 16 - Bloomsburg Fairgrounds, PA as well as a great introduction to
August 17 - Gratz Fairgrounds, PA
August 19 - Butler Fairgrounds, Prospect, PA harness racing’s excitement!
REGISTRATIONS CLOSING SOON
Harness Racing Update | Page 4 | July 1, 2021
Harness Racing Update
Jeff Gural’s passion for
harness racing knows no
bounds
As Jeff Gural prepares for his official induction
into the Hall of Fame on Sunday, he said he
would like to be remembered for saving The
Meadowlands racetrack and trying to rid the
sport of drugs.
by Debbie Little
Jeff Gural’s integrity has given harness racing a stronger
Dave Landry
foundation.
Meadowlands owner Jeff Gural has always been a harness
“The people who went to school, went to the trotters at night. racing fan at heart.
The people that cut school went to the flats during the day,”
said Dave Stolz, who met Gural in junior high school. Horse Breeders of New York State, to find an Unsung Hero to
Lucky for harness racing, Gural had class, otherwise The honor at their upcoming banquet. Hamilton said Gural was
Meadowlands wouldn’t be here. that person.
As teenagers, Gural and Stolz spent a lot of time at Roosevelt Gural had a lot of political contacts that were a great help in
Raceway, and knowing the pain of losing that historic track, the fight and was extremely enthusiastic and was constantly
Gural didn’t want to see it happen again, especially to a ven- contacting Hamilton asking what he could do to help.
ue like The Meadowlands. Gural’s dedication to the cause was admirable considering he
“The place was 48 hours from being closed by the governor didn’t have skin in the game other than being a fan.
and I think that had The Meadowlands closed, I doubt if I’d “My wife [Paula] said to me, ‘You’re working so hard on this
be a breeder or an owner anymore,” said Gural. “I really think and you don’t own a racetrack,’” said Gural. “That’s what mo-
that I saved the sport. Most of the major guys buying these tivated me to buy a racetrack, even though it wasn’t hard to
expensive horses want to win races at The Meadowlands. push me into buying a racetrack.”
“Unfortunately, most of the people are too young to have Gural bought Vernon Downs in 2005 and the following year
experienced what I did in the heyday of the sport. It was so opened Tioga Downs, built on the site of an old quarter horse
much fun. I didn’t belong to a country club. I played golf but track.
that wasn’t my thing, it was harness racing. I used to go to
the track all the time.” In 2006, on the recommendation of Stolz, Gural hired
28-year-old Jason Settlemoir as his vice-president of racing
With such a deep love of racing in New York, it’s no surprise and simulcasting for Tioga and Vernon Downs. Settlemoir is
that Gural wanted to be front and center in helping the state currently the chief operating officer and general manager of
get Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs). The Meadowlands, as well.
When the legislation passed in October 2001, the New York After 15 years together, Settlemoir has nothing but praise for
City chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers Association reached Gural.
out to Bruce Hamilton, executive secretary of the Harness
“He’s one of the most loyal people I’ve ever met in my life,”
Harness Racing Update | Page 5 | July 1, 2021
Harness Racing Update
said Settlemoir. “The loyalty part means a lot to me because According to MacDonald, the first two years TheStable.ca was
that’s how I grew up. And all the charity stuff that he does. in business, Gural would email him regularly and very bluntly
Those are the important things that really matter in life. say he really didn’t understand how TheStable.ca was still in
Nobody knows everything that he does.” business.
Anthony MacDonald, founder of TheStable.ca, knows first- “Being in business with people of credibility means a lot,”
hand of Gural’s generosity and has been the beneficiary of it said MacDonald. “It was important to have horses with him.
not once, but twice. He has three horses in our barn right now that did come from
In 2014, when MacDonald was a rookie candidate running for Allerage that he did keep a piece of. Jeff’s always been a very
Progressive Conservative representative for Guelph, Ontario, polarizing person so people can have mixed feelings about
he invited Gural to speak at one of his events. him, but nobody can say he doesn’t love horse racing.”
“I literally called his office every day for three weeks until he As a breeder, owner and proprietor, Gural has accomplished
finally took my call,” said MacDonald. “He said, ‘I don’t know much in this sport, but by far his biggest disappointment is
who you are but I don’t think you’re going to go away without not being able to convince the horsemen to take 5 per cent
me taking the phone call, so what do you need?’” of the slot revenue and use it for marketing.
The politicians that MacDonald was working with didn’t “We would have been on TV, because we have a better
think that this huge real estate tycoon (chairman of Newmark product than the thoroughbreds because our horses race so
Grubb Knight Frank) with ties to horse racing would literally often,” said Gural. “I think the leaders of the horsemen have
fly to Ontario to speak because he was a rookie candidate. So, made a decision that they don’t want to do it. I think if you
it meant a great deal to MacDonald when Gural accepted his put it to a vote of the horsemen, they would all vote that we
request. should take 5 per cent and form a major marketing effort. I
actually had asked the [U.S. Trotting Association] a couple
“It mattered to me that Jeff Gural took an entire day out of of years ago to poll the members and I would pay for it. And
his schedule to fly to another country to speak to politicians their response was, ‘We’re not going to do it because we
that he didn’t know anything about and wouldn’t accept any know what the answer is.’
money for doing it,” said MacDonald.
“I just feel sorry for any of the young people in the sport.
The following year when MacDonald was starting TheStable. Honestly, I don’t see them having a great future. I hope I’m
ca, he reached out to a number of breeders, one of them wrong, but you saw what happened at Pompano. Casino com-
being Gural with Allerage Farm, prior to the Harrisburg sale, panies want to get rid of [racing] and it’s going to be harder
to explain to them what he was trying to do. and harder when our customer base dies off. There are very
“I think [Gural] was very skeptical about the way in which few young people that we have as customers.”
we were going to do it, but still said ‘Listen, I’ll tell you what Gural’s Hall of Fame induction will take place on Sunday,
I’ll do. If we end up retaining any of these horses, I’ll send July 4 having been delayed a year by COVID-19. He feels the
a horse or two to you,’” said MacDonald. “And it was the timing for his election couldn’t have been better since there
damnedest thing, he sold every horse. I came to him and said is finally progress being made in the fight against drugs in
I appreciate the offer. Thanks very much and I think he under- harness racing.
stood that I was probably a little deflated from it, but at the
same time understood that that’s the way it goes. And he said, “I want to be remembered for getting rid of the drugs in the
‘You know what, I’ll tell the sales office that you’re going to sport,” said Gural. “I’m just an honest person and I just feel
be buying a couple of horses. Just buy a couple of mid-level that there’s no grey area when it comes to integrity. And most
horses and we’ll see how it works out.’ people fall into this gray area where they’ll use as an excuse
that they wanted to be competitive and they felt in order to
“So, it did literally go from him offering to put a couple of be competitive they had to use a drug trainer. That’s what I
Allerage’s horses into The Stable to literally purchasing two used to hear all the time. I just don’t see it that way.”
horses with his own money to put in TheStable.ca.”
When Gural took over The Meadowlands, the first thing he
wanted to do was clean up the drugs.
“I just didn’t realize how difficult it would be,” he said. “I
would be talking with people socially and it was obvious to
me that they knew what was going on and they don’t speak
up. It’s a cultural thing that people look down on someone
who’s a snitch. And I think it applies in almost every facet and
the mystery is the people that are cheating are taking money
from the honest people. So not only are these people not
helping you, but they’re ignoring the fact that they’re taking
money out of their pockets by cheating.”
At 78, Gural shows no sign of slowing down because he still
has things he wants to accomplish.
“I breed horses, I buy yearlings, so, yes, I’d like to win a Ham-
Harness Racing Update | Page 6 | July 1, 2021
Harness Racing Update
bletonian,” he said. “That would be a thrill. I’ve never won a
Breeders Crown race. I’ve won a lot of other stakes, but those Gural responds to
two have eluded me. What’s that saying? If you buy yearlings,
you’ll never want to die because you’re always dreaming.
Bongiorno story
You spend two years maybe more deciding who to breed the
mare to. Eleven months gestation. Eighteen months of raising by Jeff Gural / owner Meadowlands, Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs
the horse. Nine or 10 months of training the horse. And now
the horse is behind the gate and in two minutes you’re going In response to the story you wrote about Joe Bongiorno (full
to know if this horse is any good. And that’s it. So, it’s kind of story here), I want to make it clear that as a result of com-
exciting.” plaints from several of the drivers before the accident we
were planning to bring him in and give him a warning that
his driving style had to change as it was considered dan-
gerous by the other drivers. Then the accident occurred and
we did bring him in to give him a warning that he would be
permanently banned if he continued to drive in a dangerous
fashion. We then learned that the judges were holding a
hearing after the accident and that Joe was being given a 20
day suspension beginning June 25.
We thought the fair thing to do was to notify Joe that we
were planning to suspend him for 20 days and that it might
make sense for him not to appeal the suspension so as not to
end up possibly being suspended from driving at my race-
tracks for 40 days. He opted to appeal, which is his right, and
we opted to suspend him for 20 days, which is our right as
our number one priority is to insure the safety of all of the
drivers and horses.
Hopefully, Joe will learn from this experience but we thought
it was important to take immediate action once the other
drivers made a complaint and the judges seem to agree.
Needless to say, Howard Taylor has threatened to sue us for
trying to keep Joe and the other drivers safe. Hopefully we
will not have to spend too much in legal fees defending our
decision.
Harness Racing Update | Page 7 | July 1, 2021
Harness Racing Update
AMERICAN COURAGE and the ensuing post draw, the Messen-
ger final is up for grabs. American Courage put the field on
notice with his near track record mile. It seemed like Kakaley
had him well in hand through the finish and while post 6
isn’t ideal, at least it’s better than his chief rival in post 8; my
pick to win. Abuckabett Hanover moved at the five-eighths
last week and won going away by a measured length at odds
of 1-9, but the post is unfortunate and I don’t think he’s going
to be able to overcome it. CHARLIE MAY was used early in his
elimination to secure position and had noticeable pace up
the inside when free too late. The morning line of 2-1 seems
a tad ambitious but he’s a real contender nonetheless. I’LL
Breaking down this DRINK TO THAT was stubborn on the lead in his elimination.
weekend’s top races Meadowlands — Saturday, July 3
by Brett Sturman
RACE 5, CRAWFORD FARMS OPEN
Top races this weekend include a pair of $580,000 races on TROT
Friday (July 2) at Yonkers — the Yonkers Trot followed imme-
diately by the Messenger Stakes. Then, Saturday (July 3) at the The great MANCHEGO enters this race as the near unanimous
Meadowlands features five major stakes in two divisions of #1 horse in the sport and there’s not much else I can add
the Roll With Joe, the Crawford Farms, the Artiscape and the that hasn’t already been said since she’s returned this year.
Joie De Vie. Here is how I see the races playing out. As good as ever, she steamrolled similar in her last pair. Dunn
has to be careful not to be too far back assuming the pace
ends up slow in this seven-horse field, but even that may not
Yonkers — Friday, July 2 matter. IT’S ACADEMIC held off Ready For Moni twice in a row
and will almost certainly be the one to track down for Gin-
gras and Burke. LINDY THE GREAT tracked along in the Maxie
RACE 8, YONKERS TROT Lee and was able to get second to Manchego; may look for
AHUNDREDDOLLARBILL rates 4-1 in the program but will a similar trip to round out the exacta. FORBIDDEN TRADE
likely be the favorite come race time. Now 4-for-4 on the will be well positioned from the rail; would have a shot on
year, he brushed strongly to the lead past the quarter pole his best day. REIGN OF HONOR worked his way back up the
after getting away fifth and never faced an anxious moment. ladder quickly in New York.
There’s a bunch of Svanstedt trainees to his inside, though,
and he may face a difficult road to the top if McCarthy tries RACE 6, ARTISCAPE MARES OPEN
that route early; possible play against. JOHAN PALEMA has
developed nicely from 2 to 3, though probably a touch of LYONS SENTINEL should appreciate being able to get away
class relief has helped, too. He was able to capitalize last from Racine Bell who races today (July 1) at Yonkers. A 1:48.2
week in his elimination off a pocket trip to stablemate winner four back, Lyons Sentinel raced gamely from first over
AMBASSADOR HANOVER and is one of the obvious shorter her last two starts and was resurgent late in her most recent;
priced contenders. The latter drew the rail and I’d expect Ake seems best. Betsy Ross winner KEEP ROCKIN A had little
to be aggressive with that advantage. IN RANGE was too far chance in her last pair at the Meadowlands to close from off
back in his elimination but you’d have to think Tetrick will the pace; this is a far more reasonable spot. ROCKNIFICENT
blast in this position. He was able to show speed to take had dead aim from the pocket two back against Racine Bell
them all the way in a PASS win his first start back; he was and then coasted last week against lesser as the big favorite;
one of the more talented 2-year-olds last year and I like. ON speed will be coming again. Both Takter trainees in here JK
A STREAK hasn’t come back super-fast but don’t forget he FIRST LADY and PEAKY SNEAKY are yet to come back to their
won the Breeders Crown last year at 2. Wakes up on the move 3-year-old form; improvement is possible from either. SOHO
inside? BURNING LOVE A is likely to show her usual speed but may
not be as sharp now as she was in May; at least will offer a
price to those who want to take a shot.
RACE 9, MESSENGER STAKES
This time a week ago I think that most thought this stakes RACE 8, ROLL WITH JOE OPEN PACE
would be a walkover for ABUCKABETT HANOVER. He did win
his elimination as expected, but between the mile put up by THIS IS THE PLAN was second in last week’s open as the 2-5
Harness Racing Update | Page 8 | July 1, 2021
Harness Racing Update
odds-on favorite, and as was pointed out by Gabe Prewitt on
social media, he is now just 1-for-16 lifetime at the Mead-
owlands. Though not a bad try, that was race still tough to
figure when compared against that ridiculous 1:47.3 world
record mile two back at Northfield. CAPTAIN BARBOSSA had
ample pace when he shook free late in his most recent Grad-
uate mile to finish third in a blanket finish. He established a
lifetime mark two races back and I’d rate him as a deserving
favorite. ANGERS BAYAMA should have never been 21-1 on
the tote board last week and that was some charge down the
lane to the tune of a :25.1 final quarter to win rather easily
in the end. CHIEF MATE was a big longshot last out but I’d
expect him to be put into play early from the outside; almost
worked out four back against similar. CENTURY FARROH
comes in following two races at Woodbine and is no stranger
to these.
RACE 9, JOIE DE VIE MARES OPEN
ATLANTA and RAMONA HILL faced each other in a qualifier
two back at Gaitway and that finish was almost as exciting
as any actual race. Atlanta got her in the final stride that
morning, though both returned to the races impressively in
their seasonal debuts. Last week, Atlanta was able to wear
down When Dovescry with a :26 final quarter, despite that
one setting a :30.3 second panel on the lead. Similarly, two
weeks ago Ramona Hill angled off the cones around the final
turn and closed to just miss against a well-rated winner in
Beads; no disgrace there. HYPNOTIC AM might be an alter-
native to the top pair. She beat Beads two back in 1:50.3 and
last week was trapped in behind It’s Academic through the
stretch and it looked like she had trot. FELICITYSHAGWELL S
is usually in contention against these but is just 1 for 14 over
the past two seasons. WHEN DOVESCRY has been generously
rated in two of her last three starts; will have to contend now
with the second tier starting position. NEXT LEVEL STUFF is
always game and will offer a price from post 9.
RACE 10, ROLL WITH JOE OPEN PACE
Despite the outside post it would seem like BACKSTREET
SHADOW has a grip over this field. Not only is he the class,
but he also enters in some of the sharpest form of his career.
He crushed two weeks ago here in the preferred and was
flattered when runner-up in that race, Angers Bayama, came
back to win last week’s open over This Is The Plan. CAPTAIN
KIRK didn’t seem like he was going to offer much from his
third over trip last week even halfway through the stretch,
but then somehow was put into high gear and flew. I still
don’t think he’s up to the likes of #9 but he did have success
as a 3-year-old against some of the sport’s best, including a
runner-up finish here in his Pace elimination last year to Tall
Dark Stranger. WARRAWEE VITAL seems like a logical choice
to attract attention. He rode Captain Barbosa’s cover to be
second two back in a 1:47.1 mile. STARS ALIGN A is slated to
pick up Sears.
Harness Racing Update | Page 9 | July 1, 2021Harness Racing Update
Bunnell has never lost as
an owner heading into
$150,000 Next Generation
The fan, bettor and now owner will send out eral years as the Panthers girl’s coach.
unbeaten Fear Our Fayth in Saturday’s Next “We knew each other through basketball, but we started
Generation event for 2-year-old filly pacers at sitting together at Scioto Downs,” said Bunnell. “We had a
common interest in harness racing. I got to ride along with
Eldorado Scioto Downs. the Ackleys and Catch The Fire. We went to Lexington (for
the Kentucky Sire Stakes), the Ohio Select Sale and then the
by Jay Wolf Lexington sale.”
It was at the Ohio Select Sale when Bunnell would get back
Despite his young age of 26, Lane Bunnell has seen a lot –
into horse ownership. He was a part of the group that paid
from dusty construction sites to countless complaints from
$8,000 for hip #249, the Fear The Dragon—Maggys Art filly
coaches and parents. The one thing that Bunnell hasn’t seen
by the name of Fear Maggys Odds from the Midland Acres
has been a defeat as an owner. He hopes his undefeated
consignment.
streak continues Saturday night (July 3) in the $150,000 Next
Generation for 2-year-old filly pacers at Eldorado Scioto “We had a few yearlings picked out, but everything seemed
Downs. to be going for two to three times more than we could pay,”
said Bunnell. “She came into the ring and bidding stalled at
Bunnell is the co-owner of Fear Our Fayth from the first-crop
$7,000, we bid $8,000 and after some awkward, silent sec-
stallion Fear The Dragon. He co-owns the filly with Benjamin
onds, we got ourselves a horse.”
Ackley, Shawn Grooms and Steven Armstrong.
“We are just a bunch of nine to five guys — Steve is a real-
A native of Wellston, OH, Bunnell started in the sport by
tor; Ben runs an auto detailing shop and Shawn is in human
betting $2 exactas at the Jackson County Fair, then becoming
resources. We are run of the mill, average guys,” said Bunnell.
a regular at Scioto Downs.
“I am 100 per cent a fan first and a handicapper at heart,” The ownership team changed their filly’s name from Fear
said Bunnell. Maggys Odds to Fear Our Fayth.
Last August, Bunnell was a part of a small group that claimed “We weren’t a big fan of her previous name,” said Bunnell.
Big Bad Arcster at Scioto Downs for $7,500. The following “We’ve got a lot of faith in her, if you want to look at it that way.”
week, the Big Bad John gelding came first up and won in a Fear Our Fayth would make her uncharted debut at the May
lifetime best 1:52.1, but was claimed back by his previous
23 Matinee at Washington Court House, winning in 2:08.2.
owner. One race as an owner, one win for Bunnell.
They sent the filly to Scioto Downs on June 14 for her first
Bunnell is a construction estimator by day and was a part-
time basketball official for six years where he met Ben Ackley, qualifying effort. Patiently driven by Tyler Smith, Fear Our
whose father, John, was the conditioner for the Grand Circuit Fayth used a :27.4 last quarter to finish second by 1 ¾
star Catch The Fire. The younger Ackley is now the head lengths in 1:55.2.
coach for the Miami Trace High School boys’ team, after sev- In her second qualifying effort a week later, she was third by
2 ¼ lengths and was individually timed in 1:56.1, last quarter
in :28.
“The second qualifier was more about getting a good foun-
dation under her while still protecting her. We wanted her
passing horses and finishing well,” said Bunnell.
The Next Generation are a quartet of $150,000 races for
2-year-old Ohio-bred, colt and filly pacers and trotters.
The concept of the Next Generation is similar to the Mohawk
Million and requires nominators to pay $10,000 on March
15 to claim a spot in the nine-horse field for any of the four
events – two trotting races on Friday (July 2) and the pacing
events on Saturday (July 3).
Brad Conrad “We floated the idea (of buying a spot) back then, but being
Fear Our Fayth (Tyler Smith) completes her 2:08.2 mile on May small time guys with just one horse, $10,000 back in March
23, 2021 during the Washington Court House, OH matinee. was a lot to ask for,” said Bunnell. “A lot of things can go
Harness Racing Update | Page 10 | July 1, 2021Harness Racing Update
wrong between March and July. RACE #10 - $150,000 NEXT
“She’s been good since the word ‘go.’ She’s done everything GENERATION TWO -YEAR- OLD COLT
we have ask of her. The first of June we were wishing we TROT
had a spot. We saw one come available and we were able to
purchase that one. PP Horse (Driver/Trainer) ML
“She’s done everything right so far, so we thought we should 1 Hustlenomics (Tyler Smith/Todd Luther) 6-1
give her a chance to be as good as she can be.” 2 Rose Run Xtra (Chris Page/Ron Burke) 9-2
3 Creatine Star (Dan Noble/Virgil Morgan, Jr.) 5-1
Charlie May (colt pace) and Winella Hanover (filly pace) won
the inaugural Next Generation races. This is the first year for 4 Bridge To Victory (Tyler Smith/Erv Miller) 7-1
the trotting side. 5 Pappardelle (Aaron Merriman/Chris Beaver) 6-1
6 Striking Count (Miles Wollam/Miles Wollam) 12-1
The 13-race Friday card and the 14-race Saturday card both
7 Voyageoficeandfire (Anthony MacDonald/Jason McGinnis) 7-2
start with a 6:15 p.m. post time.
8 Rose Run Xtreme (Don Irvine, Jr./Rosy Weaver) 20-1
9 Chulo (Dan Noble/Per Engblom) 7-1
Friday, July 2 – Eldorado Scioto Downs
Saturday, July 3 – Eldorado Scioto Downs
RACE #8 - $150,000 NEXT GENERATION
TWO -YEAR- OLD FILLY TROT RACE #6 - $150,000 NEXT GENERATION
PP Horse (Driver/Trainer) ML TWO -YEAR- OLD FILLY PACE
1 Martysmagicmoment (Ray Paver/Danny Collins) 20-1 PP Horse (Driver/Trainer) ML
2 Madame Madelyn (Trevor Smith/Todd Luther) 8-1
1 Sleepwithoneyeopen (Brett Miller/Clarence Foulk) 5-1
3 Oftom (Anthony MacDonald/Jason McGinnis) 3-1
4 Be My Baby Now (Chris Page/Ron Burke) 6-1 2 Lightning Leia (Matt Kakaley/Travis Alexander) 4-1
5 Lovely Liv (Chris Lems/Scott Cox) 9-1 3 Secret Side Piece (Trevor Smith/Todd Luther) 6-1
6 Favorite Aunt (Dan Noble/Marty Wollam) 15-1 4 Prancing Queen (Chris Lems/Scott Cox) 7-1
7 Moments Created (Kurt Sugg/Edward Miller) 2-1 5 Sea Silk (Chris Page/Ron Burke) 5-1
8 Reichers Caviar (Aaron Merriman/Chris Beaver) 10-1 6 Dragons Revenge (Dan Noble/Christi Noble) 6-1
9 Lady Camryn (Dan Noble/Virgil Morgan, Jr.) 10-1 7 Fear The Beach (Derick Watiker/Lionel Watiker) 12-1
8 Fear Our Fayth (Tyler Smith/John Ackley) 12-1
9 Cruzinbytheseaside (Brett Miller/Virgil Morgan, Jr.) 8-1
RACE 10 - $150,000 NEXT GENERATION
TWO -YEAR- OLD COLT PACE
PP Horse (Driver/Trainer) ML
1 Seaside Jet (Tyler Smith/Timothy Lane) 7-1
2 JL’s Cruisecontrol (Brett Miller/Virgil Morgan, Jr.) 5-1
3 Sling Shot (Dan Noble/Christi Noble) 9-2
4 Risenshine Seaside (Ronnie Wrenn, Jr./Brian Brown) 5-1
5 The Mountain (Kurt Sugg/Cory Deyermand) 7-1
6 Welladvertised (Trevor Smith/Todd Luther) 12-1
7 Springbridge Dragn (Chris Page/Ron Burke) 5-1
8 Spread The Fear (Tony Hall/Jamie Sullivan) 6-1
9 Pearl Snaps (Aaron Byron/Blake MacIntosh) 12-1
TrackMaster PPs for Friday available here.
TrackMaster PPs for Saturday available here.
Courtesy Lane Bunnell
Fear Our Fayth at 2 in the John Ackley barn at the Fayette
County Fairgrounds.
Harness Racing Update | Page 11 | July 1, 2021Harness Racing Update
Third generation
horseman Ryan Guy on
path to career year
by Chris Lomon
Ryan Guy knew he wouldn’t receive a reply, but that didn’t
matter at all.
Courtesy Ryan Guy
As they crossed the wire a whopping 11 ¾-lengths ahead Young driver Ryan Guy at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
of their nearest rival, the driver from South Mountain, ON,
thanked the veteran pacer, the one who delivered him his This year, he’s well on his way to establishing career-best
first win in what was his first pari-mutuel start in the race marks in every category.
bike.
Not that you’d ever know it.
Four years and over 130 wins later, the modest reinsman is
thankful for the efforts of the brown gelding on that night, an “It’s about taking one race at a time. Things can change very
evening that brought out his own personal cheering section quickly. You can have your good years, bad years, good nights,
to take in the action. bad nights – you just have to find a way to turn the page and
stay confident. Whether you win or lose, you always want to
“I can still remember it, very much so,” said Guy. “It was a make the next drive your best one.”
horse called Dali On Up. I was very happy to get a nice horse
like that to drive for my first race. It was really special, I had On June 17, he did that, times four.
my whole family there, and it was something I had always Guy won four straight races, capping it off with Reys N A
dreamed about. It was a great start to my career. I couldn’t Rocket, who won her fourth consecutive dash and paid
ask for anything more.” $10.60 for the victory.
And, as Guy noted, it was as easy as it looked on the chart “Normally on a race night, I try to maintain a steady focus
line. on that upcoming night of driving. I like to come into the
“The horse pretty much did the work. I went to the front, cut evenings with a clear and positive mindset to be able to give
the mile, and didn’t look back. He was just awesome. I made that horse, trainers and owners, my 100 percent.”
sure I gave him a big pat and thanked him for what he did.” Studying, before and after races, is also a must, offered Guy.
Although plenty has changed for Guy since that debut, his “I read the program, how the horses like to race, what class
gratitude for standardbreds, trainers, owners and his support they’re racing in, post position – it’s about forming a good
group, remains unchanged. idea, a game plan, so I know what to expect from the horse.
As does his winning attitude. That said, anything can change from the time you’re on your
way to that first turn. For as much as you prepare, you also
In the midst of a breakout year, Guy is very much the same have to be able to make quick decisions.”
person who won that first race.
Winding down after he arrives back home isn’t always a
In his rookie season, he recorded 25 wins and 102 top-three simple task.
finishes from 341 starts. After 30 and 35 wins in 2018 and
2019, respectively, Guy posted 22 victories in a pandem- On occasion, Guy will go over his drives for the evening and
ic-shortened 2020. then take notes.
“The blood is definitely still pumping after you head home.
Harness Racing Update | Page 12 | July 1, 2021Harness Racing Update
It’s tough some nights to go to sleep quickly because you still teurs. I would warm up all kinds of horses at Rideau Carleton
have that adrenaline flowing. There are times when I’m back and when the time came where I was old enough to get my
home where I’ll watch replays of that night. Whether it’s good [harness] driving license and I had friends and family to stand
or bad, you can learn something.” behind me and help me out. I’m very fortunate. I wouldn’t
For now, his biggest highlight in the sulky was his first win on change anything. Being a third-generation horseman, I’m
the Woodbine Entertainment circuit, which came in 2018. proud to carry on that tradition.”
He’s hoping to add more Mohawk Park victories to his stat Even if he has a different racetrack look than his father did.
sheet sooner rather than later. Father and son both see red, so to speak, whenever Guy takes
“My main focus is to keep driving live horses and hopefully, the reins of a pacer or trotter.
people keep listing me on them. I want to stay healthy, and “I’ve always been a fan of red, so that was going to play a big
stay safe. We’ll see how things go this year and hopefully in part in my driving colors. My aunt, she was red, and so was
the next little bit, I can make my way to Toronto, bring some my grandfather. The funny story is that my dad is blue. I get
horses of my own and try to make a go of it there.” a lot of backlash on that because he’s a Toronto Maple Leafs’
There’s no doubt those he’s closest to will support him wher- fan and I’ve always been an Ottawa Senators fan. It’s red,
ever he happens to race. black and white, and I’m happy with that.”
Guy is happy to carry on the family ties to the sport. And thankful for everything and everyone – human and horse
– who helped him get to where he is these days.
“My dad [Ron Guy], he’s been in it for years, and so is my
grandfather [George]. My aunt, Sharon Christie, really got me It’s evident in the way Guy conducts himself on and off the racetrack.
kick-started with the horses. She had a small stable and I’ve “It’s important to be polite, to be respectful and be kind to
been going to the barn since I was old enough to walk, taking everybody. That goes for wherever I find myself. I feel very
off bandages, things like that. I owned my first horse when I grateful to be where I am and I hope it shows.”
was nine and jogged my first horse a year before that.
“A lot of people helped me out. They taught me how to rate
a mile, read a watch, how to sit in the bike – all of that stuff.
Through the years, it progressed. I drove in some fairs and
some great learning experience. Then it was on to the ama-
Rocky road to relevance weekend small-track options: Handle for 11 Saturday races
reached $41,472.
How smaller Canadian tracks are jockeying to The two most popular flavors had the advantage of familiar-
ity. Clinton joined the only legal Canadian ADW’s offerings in
become standout summer racetracks as they 2014; Hanover was an early adopter, first streaming races via
embrace simulcasting out their races. HPI in May, 2009. Other weekend tracks joined the platform
more recently, like Inverness Raceway, new this year, or have
by Melissa Keith lately become available to a wider swath of HPI customers
(Hiawatha, Kawartha). Can they transcend regional-speciality
Small town summer harness racing is like ice cream: A status? COVID-19 restrictions keeping casual horseplayers
seasonal treat that’s as perishable as it is refreshing. Last away have forced the question.
weekend’s Horseplayer Interactive (HPI) wagering menu was Key players at these venues know it’s a rocky road, to invoke
stocked with more of these Canadian tracks than ever, tempt- that ice cream comparison one more time. Trey Colbeck calls
ing bettors to try new “flavors” or return to familiar favourites. races at Miami Fair, which struggled last Saturday.
The options on the afternoon of Saturday, June 26 included
Ontario’s Hanover Raceway, Kawartha Downs and Hiawatha “First, the camera was missing. Then there was a temporary
Horse Park; Northside Downs and Exhibition Park Raceway in fix, where we were able to livestream off a phone,” he said.
the Maritimes; and Miami Fair, Manitoba. On Sunday, June 27, “Then the camera showed up. It was in transit from Winni-
Clinton, Dresden, Truro, and Inverness Raceways shared the peg.” Post time for the first race was 3 pm (Central).
afternoon. “We have to go on the weekends because all the drivers have
You could say Clinton Raceway was the chocolate ice cream 9-to-5 jobs during the week.”
on that menu, handling $67,714 for a 12-race card featuring Colbeck said post time was adjusted to tap into the existing
Kin Pace eliminations. It outperformed the previous Sunday’s afternoon harness market on HPI, because in theory, “all of
11-race card, which saw $48,121 move through the virtual these small tracks should help each other out.” How they af-
windows. This makes Hanover Raceway the vanilla of the fect each other remains unclear: 2020 was Miami’s HPI debut.
Harness Racing Update | Page 13 | July 1, 2021Harness Racing Update
On-track handle sustains fair tracks, but the pandemic upend-
ed that business model. Colbeck said attendance rule chang-
es hit hard on June 26.
“We couldn’t get a definitive answer from Manitoba Health,
but the way we read it was we could have up to, I think, 25
people. Then during the race day, we get a call saying it was
an illegal gathering, so everyone that wasn’t supposed to be
there had to leave,” Colbeck said.
The Manitoba track will stick with late Saturday afternoon
post times.
“I think for our time being, it’s okay,” said Colbeck. “I’m assum-
ing that the plan would be to maybe look at different days
next year, obviously when the Winnipeg track comes into
play.” (Red River Exhibition Association plans to open a new
harness track there in spring 2022.)
Why play Miami? Ryan Clements
“Everything is hopefully good to go” for the 10-race card at Clinton Raceway handled $67,714 for Sunday’s (June 27)
the Manitoba fair July 3 said the announcer, including the 12-race card.
$12,670 Lady Crocus Stake for 3-year-old filly pacers. Last
year’s Manitoba filly champion, Follow Your Nose (p,4,1:53.4f; Raceways. “Historically, there’s been a lot of fan attendance,”
$55,029) has since won at Pompano and Pocono. A Pick 4 has he told HRU. “It used to be there was afternoon racing all
been added. With local fans still barred this Saturday, horse- the time, so I think it has more of the historical feel of how it
players may want to invest a few dollars online as a show of used to be before it moved to evenings and nights. The small
support. There were also some surprisingly generous prices tracks seem to be able to capture that feel. As far as being
considering the small fields last weekend. family-friendly, it’s key to have it in the afternoon, in case
[customers] have young kids and aren’t able to stay as long
Grassroots venues such as Miami contribute to the larger
into the evening.”
industry, he added.
Elliott said afternoon post times “help in Ontario because the
“When people ask, I say we’re almost like a breeding program.
schedule is not as busy. We’re not lining up with Mohawk and
They do well here and then they go out and do whatever,” like
Georgian, some of the bigger tracks.” Hanover migrated from
Marvtherat (p,9,1:54.1m; $48,854), who took his lifetime mark
evenings to afternoons in 2020, which “had a really positive
at Cal-Expo this year and has returned to his home province
effect on wagering.” It currently has a 3 pm (Eastern) Saturday
(in race 2, July 3). “Everything starts from the ground up, so if
post time. Clinton’s Sunday 1:30 pm (Eastern) post time hasn’t
there weren’t these small tracks doing this for the last 60, 70,
been an issue, either.
80 or more years, if we didn’t have all these horses coming
out, the breeding, and the guys and girls who do this as their “Clinton has proved that for the past few years, probably
passion, maybe there wouldn’t be a Mohawk. If we didn’t even capitalizing on having a less-busy summer last year and
have junior hockey, we would never have the NHL.” reaching out into the U.S. a little more. This year, it has cer-
tainly come back to more of a realistic level, but I still think
Collaboration is key to success, said Colbeck.
some great exposure was gained from the US market and in
“I understand that we all go up against each other, but I Canada too.”
think there’s a way, like Australia does, where there’s multiple
He agreed with Colbeck’s view that small tracks have a big-
tracks but they never run over each other.”
ger mission: “Our goal is obviously generating revenue like
He cited multi-leg wagers across tracks, regions and even anybody else, but our purpose is to grow the fan base. At the
breeds as potentially attractive to bettors. grassroots tracks, that’s what our prime focus is.”
“I don’t know all the gambling laws and if that would work Ontario Racing has structured three tiers of harness racing
interprovincially, but if a track in the Maritimes and Manitoba (Grassroots, Signature, and Woodbine Mohawk Park), which
said, ‘Hey, we’re not going to run over each other’ and then Elliott said promotes growth at all levels. “Last year, every
we do a crossover Pick 6, three races here, three races there,” small track took a big step up in terms of marketing and
both tracks could see gains from new bettors. simulcasting, how to get your product out there, things like
Tony Elliott knows about these tracks needing to re-examine that,” he said, citing the impact of the pandemic, which tem-
their place at the intersection of heritage and innovation. porarily shuttered competitors. “I think long term, we’re going
He’s assistant general manager at Clinton and Hanover to be in a lot better spot because of that. We have a focus on
Harness Racing Update | Page 14 | July 1, 2021Harness Racing Update
the online dollars and views, and now we’re getting back to the tracks I’ve worked at: If there’s a better spot, without fans,
our bread and butter of fans on track, so we’re in a lot better it’s worth looking at. For some tracks that aren’t doing that
spot than we were two years ago.” well, it’s certainly an option. But given the value of the on-
track dollar, I think it’s better to have races on the weekend.
Clinton and Hanover are carefully welcoming back fans and Even though the simulcast schedule is a lot busier, if you can
bettors. handle $10,000 on track, that’s equal to doing $100,000 off
track: 20 per cent of $10,000 is two grand, so you would have
“Even with limited capacity, we’re going to be able to have a
to do $100,000 off track to generate as much as $10,000 on
few hundred. Hanover’s 317; Clinton is 500, so we’re getting track.”
a fairly-decent sized crowd,” Elliott said. “This week will be
Leamington Raceway joined HPI two years ago.
the tell-tale sign of how much [on-track handle] was actually
converted [to online wagering] and how much wasn’t: We “I use Leamington as the perfect example,” Elliott said. “They
did $67,000 on Sunday. If we do another $5,000 to $10,000 bet more than anyone else on track, so they were not happy
on track, which would be incredible, we’ll know for sure how with how some of their dates went last year. When they come
much wasn’t converted. We’d know for sure there was a lot of back, they have the biggest betting fan base in the entire
province. Even though some tracks aren’t looking so good
money out there, waiting to come back to the track.”
now, in terms of revenue generating, they are very, very valu-
The measure of success remains long-term for these venues, able once we get full crowds back. I use that argument with
and isn’t easily reduced to a dollar amount. people who say, ‘Why do we need small tracks?’”
“At the end of the day, we need to have fans at the track. The $50,000 Kin Pace final for Ontario-sired 3-year-old pac-
That’s our purpose: To grow the fan base and get people out, ing fillies will draw wider attention to Clinton July 4. “I think
to get them to fall in love with the sport, not necessarily to people are waiting for the stakes season and we’re kind of
wager on it,” said the assistant GM. “We probably will never kicking it off,” said Elliott.
bet $200,000 a card, but if we can get 2,000 people out to Even with Woodbine Mohawk Park drivers and stakes fillies,
the track every week, that’s our greatest cause right there.” scheduling is “huge” when it comes to small-track visibility
on busy weekend afternoons, according to Elliott. He works
Weekend afternoons are therefore essential, with a less-ob-
with Clinton GM and race secretary/Hanover race secretary
vious bonus for the tracks when fans bet with tellers or
Ian Fleming to ensure as little overlap as possible.
machines in the grandstand. “If our sole purpose is just to
generate wagering, there are better spots during the week,” “We set post times for Hanover and Clinton; we try to avoid
said Elliott. “There’s certainly been discussions about that, at Woodbine thoroughbreds and the big players in the U.S. It’s
pretty obvious that when you don’t, it hurts. If we run on top
of Woodbine thoroughbred, our handle is definitely affected.”
Elliott said he learned from the former manager of racing at
The Raceway at Western Fair, Canada’s overall most success-
ful track after Mohawk.
“Greg Gangle would describe it as like a big game of chess:
When you’re a small player, they aren’t looking down to see
what you’re doing. They don’t care.”
Avoiding rival signals just makes sense:.
“Try to miss your top four or five tracks all day and you’ll do
well, especially in the afternoons,” Elliott said.
Besides strategic timing, Elliott said small tracks can benefit from
increased awareness of how they’re seen on the wider ADW stage.
“That’s something I learned from Greg Gangle as well: Every-
thing plays into your product. What is your wagering menu?
What is your racing product like? How are you distributing
your signal?”
Elliott expects revenue, not just handle, to improve as re-
openings expand this summer.
“It’s hard to market to get people to wager online. It’s easy to
market to get people to come to the track.”
Trey Colbeck
Miami Fair in Manitoba struggled to find a betting audience
for its simulcast signal last Saturday (June 26).
Harness Racing Update | Page 15 | July 1, 2021Harness Racing Update
(post five), took byes straight to the final.
The stakes events are races six through nine on Friday night’s
program, which gets underway at 7:15 p.m. The full fields
with listed drivers and trainers are as follows.
RACE 6 - $150,000 NEW YORK NEW
YORK MILE FINAL
Draws held for Friday’s 1-Presto (Yannick Gingras/Ake Svanstedt)
four stakes finals at 2-Iteration (Brian Sears/Marcus Melander)
3-Rebel Girl (Dexter Dunn/Nifty Norman)
Yonkers 4-Lindys Dollywood (Todd McCarthy/George Ducharme)
5-Sweeping Rainbow (David Miller/Joe Holloway)
by Yonkers Raceway 6-Contested Hanover (Scott Zeron/George Ducharme)
7-Mazzarati (Tim Tetrick/Lucas Wallin)
The fields have been drawn for the finals of the $500,000 8-Imhatra AM S (Brian Sears/Marcus Melander)
MGM Grand Messenger Stakes, the $500,000 MGM Yonkers AE-May Karp (Andrew McCarthy/Lucas Wallin)
Trot, the $150,000 Park MGM Pace, and the $150,000 New
York New York Mile, which will all take place on Friday (July 2)
at Yonkers Raceway. RACE 7 - $150,000 PARK MGM PACE
Elimination winners American Courage and Abuckabett FINAL
Hanover are both outside in the MGM Grand Messenger, the
1-Heart Of Mine (Scott Zeron/Linda Toscano)
first leg of the Triple Crown for 3-year-old pacing colts and
geldings, having landed posts six and eight, respectively. 2-Marsala Hanover (Scott Zeron/Linda Toscano)
American Courage, a son of American Ideal, won his elimina- 3-Test Of Faith (David Miller/Brett Pelling)
tion in 1:50.4 for driver Matt Kakaley, trainer Travis Alexander, 4-Darby Hanover (Andy Miller/Julie Miller)
and owner/breeder Fiddler’s Creek Stables LLC., while Abuck- 5-Classicist (Todd McCarthy/Tahnee Camilleri)
abett Hanover, a Betting Line colt, overcame some steering 6-Shania Blue Chip (Dexter Dunn/Noel Daley)
issues on the first and last turns to tally in 1:51.3 for driver 7-So Irresistible (Andrew McCarthy/Bruce Saunders)
Andrew McCarthy, trainer Tony Alagna, and owners Crawford 8-Lyons Softassilk (Tim Tetrick/Jim King Jr.)
Farms Racing, Alagna Racing LLC., Jablonsky Held Stable, and AE-Lindy At The Beach (Todd McCarthy/Domenico Cecere)
Barbara N. Wienick Stable.
Alagna and McCarthy will also team up with Ahundreddollar-
bill, who will leave from post six in the MGM Yonkers Trot, the
RACE 8 - $500,000 MGM YONKERS TROT
opening leg of the Trotting Triple Crown for sophomore colts FINAL
and geldings. Ahundreddollarbill, a gelding by Chapter Seven, 1-Ambassador Hanover (Ake Svanstedt trains & drives)
won his elimination in a track record 1:54.2 for owners Craw-
2-On A Streak (Daniel Dube/Luc Blais)
ford Farms Racing and James Crawford IV. The other elimi-
nation victor, Johan Palema, has post three for driver Yannick 3-Johan Palema (Yannick Gingras/Ake Svanstedt)
Gingras, trainer Ake Svanstedt, and owner Bender Sweden Inc. 4-Mon Amour (Andy Miller/Ake Svanstedt)
Johan Palema, a Bar Hopping colt, topped stablemate Ambas- 5-Ethan T Hanover (Jason Bartlett/Per Engblom)
sador Hanover in a 1:54.1 mile last Friday and is one of three 6-Ahundreddollarbill (Andrew McCarthy/Tony Alagna)
Svanstedt trainees in the final. 7-Arnold N Dicky (Dexter Dunn/Chuck Sylvester)
Heart Of Mine, a daughter of Roll With Joe, and Test Of Faith, 8-In Range (Tim Tetrick/Marcus Melander)
by Art Major, both sport undefeated records in 2021 after AE-Jula Muscle Pack (Scott Zeron/Per Engblom)
winning their respective Park MGM Pace eliminations for
3-year-old fillies, and they had good luck in the draw for the RACE 9 - $500,000 MGM GRAND
final as well. Heart Of Mine, a 1:54.2 elimination winner, got
the pole position for driver Scott Zeron, trainer Linda Toscano, MESSENGER FINAL
and owners The Bay’s Stable LLC., Radio Racing Stable, Fred 1-Simon Says Hanover (Scott Zeron/Tony Alagna)
Wallace, and Camelot Stable Inc., and Test Of Faith, who tal- 2-I’ll Drink To That (Dexter Dunn/Chris Ryder)
lied in 1:52.1 in her elimination, will depart from post three
3-Charlie May (Brett Miller/Steve Carter)
for driver David Miller, trainer Brett Pelling, and owners Mel
Segal, Kentuckiana Racing Stable, and Eddie Gran. 4-Chase H Hanover (Brian Sears/Scott Cox)
5-Mysweetboymax (Jason Bartlett/Sam De Pinto)
Mazzarati, a daughter of Cantab Hall, took the one elimina- 6-American Courage (Matt Kakaley/Travis Alexander)
tion of the New York New York Mile for 3-year-old trotting 7-Highlandbeachsbest (Scott Zeron/Linda Toscano)
fillies in 1:55.2 for driver Tim Tetrick, trainer Lucas Wallin, and
8-Abuckabett Hanover (Andrew McCarthy/Tony Alagna)
owners Mazza Racing Stables LLC. and Stormi And Bruiser
Stable, and she wound up with post seven for Friday night’s AE-Whichwaytothebeach (Todd McCarthy/Brett Pelling)
final. Two fillies, Iteration (post two) and Sweeping Rainbow TrackMaster PPs available here.
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